Think
your kid
is using drugs?
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Drugs and
alcohol abuse, gangs & school violence, underage smoking, online dangers...
Today our children are exposed to all
manner
of threats to their well-being, personal safety and development.
From drug abuse, smoking, gangs and school violence to online
pornography, sexual experimentation
- and the list is endless. Their
peers, the media, the Internet and other outside influences challenge their
resolve unrelentingly.
Parents, do you know the
warning signs? |
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Talk to your kids about drugs, alcohol, tobacco and sex
It is increasingly difficult for many kids to "just say no" to
drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Everyone wants to fit in, and today drugs
and alcohol are more readily available to kids than ever before.
Telling children and teens to just say no to drugs simply is not enough.
They must be encouraged to reject drugs because it is the right thing to do,
not just because you told them to say no.
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After years of research, it has been proven over and over again that young
people can be positively influenced about the risks and dangers of drug use
long before they might start experimenting, but only if they are made aware
of the dangers.
Children who don't have the facts about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are at a
far greater risk of trying them. Talking about awkward issues like
drugs, alcohol, sex and even computer addiction is difficult for parents and
children, but retreating from such discussions can leave children unprepared
to deal with their peers - and that can be perilous.
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For more information on addiction rehab for your teen visit
Narconon International
Help yourself and help your kids by doing the following:
- Get the facts. A great start is that you have read this
far - don't stop!
- Ask your child's school what is being taught about
drugs, alcohol and tobacco so that you can reinforce these lessons at
home. Drug, alcohol and tobacco education is a part of national
curriculum in science classes.
- Share your views with your kids and explain why you
believe what you do. Make it clear that drugs, alcohol and tobacco
are simply not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
- Talk to other parents, especially the parents of
the children your kids play with as this can create a cohesive approach
If young people are given guidance and information from
people they trust (you, teachers, etc.) they will be less likely to make
the wrong decisions about using these substances. Don't be afraid to
role-play with your children. Help them develop skills to resist the
peer pressures they will most certainly encounter later.
Parents, take some time to browse around. Learn the
warning signs and investigate professional sources for support and
treatment.
(Please read
Disclaimer)
Learn more about home and workplace tests like urine, hair,
saliva drug testing kits, HIV testing kits for HIV virus and more. Gateway Drugs?
A gateway drug is a drug that opens the door to the use of
other, harder drugs. Gateway drugs are typically inexpensive and readily
available. While there is no guarantee that a youngster will make the leap
from gateway drugs to far more toxic and dangerous drugs such as
methamphetamines, cocaine, or heroin, research suggests that in the
majority of the cases they will not. Still, who wants to roll the dice
with their youngster’s health and future happiness? Most addicts began
their downward spiral with the gateway drugs; very few youngsters or
adults jump right into hard drugs. Keeping children free and clear of the
gateway substances for as long as possible is your mission. (excerpt from
"The Official Parents Guide" by Glenn Levant, President and
Founding Director, D.A.R.E.)
More...
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Regarding pornography, our objective
is not to debate the right of free
speech versus those who want to
restrict access to such material.
We offer helpful suggestions to parents who are concerned about
what their children do and view and reveal online.
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Children
who are using drugs exhibit different warning signs of which
we need to be
ever vigilant. Oftentimes
we
see these signs as typical adolescent behavior
and don't realize that our children
are using drugs.
Regrettably, by then it is sometimes too late.
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Kids join gangs
because they are looking for attention, love, identity and status.
Members dress in a particular style or color identifying their unique
gang. Parents must learn to recognize the
warning signs and discuss the dangers of gangs with their children.
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Parents - learn your kids' warning signs...
 Kids telegraph signals to us when they are engaged in
activities in which that they shouldn't be involved. This website is focused on talking about
some of those 'warning signs' and offers suggestions and practical resources to
help parents help
their kids to make good decisions. This site is not a substitute for professional
medical help or counseling. It is intended to serve only as a
resource for parents and caregivers.
(Read
Disclaimer) |
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Online attacks
You and your children are under attack online. From annoying spam
to clever phishing and pharming scams, threats to your finances and
personal wellbeing have never been greater. We have included some
new information on how to use spam
filters, phishing and pharming threats; the problem and
solutions for email fraud and where to report phishing emails.
See Internet Safety...
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Be aware - be responsive
The hardest thing for any parent to accept
is that their child may have been using drugs for months or possibly
years before they became aware of it.
The explanations for this are many. Some
parents are completely unaware (or even indifferent) of behavior changes
thinking "its just those teenage years hormonal mood swings", or its "how
kids act these days". Unconsciously or consciously, some parents
choose to deny the warning signs because the truth could be so terrifying.
They cling to false hope that this is "just a phase" and will pass soon
because few things are more scary to a parent than the thought of their
child using drugs.
If you want to
be sure, see these home and workplace tests - urine, hair,
saliva drug testing kits, HIV testing kits for HIV virus and more. On a good day, being a parent is challenging. It is impossible to
cover everything you want or need to know about teenage drug and alcohol use
and abuse in these pages, but we hope that our information gives you a place
to start.
If you think your child is doing drugs, look for the
following signs...
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Changes in their behavior including increased lying
and stealing.
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Changes including inability to sleep or hyperactivity.
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Changes including increased sensitivity or confusion.
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Disregarding their appearance or hygiene.
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Weight gain or loss, smelling smoke or marijuana on their clothes or
breath.
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